Tuesday | Apr 01 2025 | 01:44:35 AM
Pickup trucks have been a popular choice in countries like the U.S. and Australia, where they serve as both workhorses and adventure-ready vehicles. However, in India, the culture around pickups is still evolving. These vehicles are often associated with commercial use, but the perception is gradually shifting, especially among off-road enthusiasts and lifestyle buyers. But the big question is—can a lifestyle pickup truck be used as an everyday vehicle in India?
Japanese carmaker, Isuzu Motors unveiled India's first adventure utility vehicle - D-Max V-Cross at the Auto Expo 2016 and since then it has earned a loyal fan base due to its rugged looks, off-road capabilities, and customisation options. In fact, it was one of the first lifestyle pickups in India. The vehicle is available in two variants as ‘Z’ and ‘Prestige’ in Manual and automatic Transmission options. Recently, I tested the 4x4 manual transmission ‘Z’ variant for around 1,000 km on highways and rough terrains and in city to find out if it can be a practical choice for daily use. Here’s what I found.
Bold & Functional Exterior
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is a true pickup truck in terms of design. It has a tall stance, a wide chrome-accented grille, flared wheel arches, and large 18-inch alloy wheels, giving it a tough and rugged appearance. The LED headlights with daytime running lights (DRLs) add a modern touch, while the side steps make it easier to get in and out of the vehicle.
The truck is quite large, measuring 5,295 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,855 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,095 mm. It has a ground clearance of 225 mm, making it ideal for off-road adventures and rough roads. This variant has the highest cargo deck carrying capacity of 215 kg, which is lower than some might expect for a pickup.
While the overall design is impressive, it hasn’t changed much over the years. Also, due to its size, parking in tight city spaces can be challenging.
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Interior: Simple & Practical
Step inside, and you’ll find a no-nonsense cabin focused on durability and practicality. The dashboard layout is straightforward, with tough hard plastic that is built to last. The vehicle now comes with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though the test unit provided by Isuzu had an older system, so we could not test these features.
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross comes equipped with a 6-speaker audio system, strategically placed across the cabin for an immersive listening experience. The setup includes speakers in the front dashboard, front doors (left and right), and rear doors (left and right), ensuring balanced sound distribution for both front and rear passengers. While the factory system delivers decent audio quality, enthusiasts seeking a richer soundstage may consider upgrades such as higher-quality speakers, an amplifier, or a subwoofer for enhanced clarity and bass response.
Seats at front and rear are comfortable and very spacious, providing good support for long journeys. This variant gets black fabric seats while the top end trim (Z Prestige AT) gets sporty dual-tone brown and grey leather seats. The driver’s seat is manually adjustable in this variant, while the top-end Z Prestige 4WD AT gets a 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
At the rear seat, you also get two cup holders with Type-A mobile phone charging socket. The air conditioning is decent but not the most powerful—despite testing it in moderate March weather in North India, it didn’t feel as effective as expected.
Overall, the cabin is spacious, with good visibility and well-placed controls. However, compared to competitors like the Toyota Hilux, the interiors feel a bit outdated.
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Engine & Performance: Reliable, but Not Sporty
Powering the V-Cross is a 1.9L, 4-cylinder, diesel engine with a VGS turbo intercooler, producing 163 hp and 360 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
On highways, the engine feels refined, with enough torque for effortless cruising at triple-digit speeds. Gear shifts are smooth, and while the pickup isn't particularly fast, it excels in delivering consistent power at low RPMs, making it well-suited for off-road conditions and towing. The V-Cross is built on Isuzu’s Gravity Response Intelligent Platform (iGrip), and high-ride suspension, which enhance stability and performance.
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Ride & Handling: Built for Bad Roads
Where the V-Cross truly shines is in off-road performance. Equipped with a shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system, it allows the driver to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive while moving. This is helpful when driving through rough terrains like mud, rocks, or steep inclines.
On highways, the truck feels stable at high speeds. However, on regular roads, the ride quality is slightly bouncy due to the leaf spring suspension at the rear, especially when the truck bed is empty. The front suspension features an independent double-wishbone with coil springs, providing better control. Braking is handled by disc brakes with twin-pot calipers at the front and drum brakes at the rear, which perform decently. The hydraulic power-assisted steering is not too heavy but requires effort while making U-turns due to the truck’s large turning radius.
Overall, the ride is stable on highways and perfect for rough terrains, but in city traffic, the stiff suspension and large size make maneuverability a challenge.
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Safety Features: Well-Equipped, but Lacks Modern Driver Aids
Isuzu has packed the V-Cross with essential safety features like six airbags (dual front, side & curtain), ABS with EBD, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), hill start assist, and hill descent control. While it feels solid and safe to drive, it lacks advanced driver-assist features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, which are available in some modern SUVs. It also gets a rear parking camera and sensors, though the camera quality could be better.
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Mileage & Running Costs
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross delivers a fuel efficiency of around 12-13 km/l on highways and 10-11 km/l in city conditions. While this is reasonable for a 4x4 pickup, urban usage may not be the most cost-effective. Maintenance costs are reasonable, and Isuzu vehicles are known for their durability, making it a reliable long-term option.
Colour & Customisation Options
The V-Cross is available in seven body colour options: Silky White Pearl, Black Mica, Red Spinel Mica, Nautilus Blue, Splash White, Silver Metallic, and Galena Grey.
Isuzu offers a range of accessories, including a cargo bike carrier, bed liner, canopy with room lamp, front bumper guard, a sports bar, etc.…However, some essential features, like a hard lid for the cargo bed, are sold separately. Buyers can personalise their V-Cross based on their needs, whether for adventure trips or utility purposes.
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross?
The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is perfect for those who need a rugged, capable, and dependable vehicle for off-road adventures or long highway drives. It’s tough, practical, and built to last. It is ideal for people who frequently travel long distances, explore rough terrains, or need a pickup for work purposes. However, as a daily city vehicle, it is not the most practical choice. The large size, and basic interior features make it less convenient for everyday urban use.
Unlike international markets, India has very few lifestyle pickups, with the Toyota Hilux being one of its only competitors. The high cost and taxation on pickups, large dimensions, narrow urban roads and parking constraints make it less appealing for city users who might prefer an SUV instead.
Price: Starts from ₹25,99,900 and goes up to ₹31,76,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the top-end variant.
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Coming back to the question, should you buy it? Well, if you need a no-nonsense, go-anywhere truck for off-road adventures, touring, or practical utility, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is a solid choice. But if you’re looking for a daily driver in the city, this truck may not be the most convenient option.
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